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The stepped-gable tower of Knock Castle rising behind a dry-stone wall, framed by trees
Aberdeenshire

Knock Castle

The roofless 16th-century tower house of the Gordons on a knoll west of Ballater, reached by a short walk up a farm track from the road through Glen Girnock.

Welcome

A mile or two west of Ballater, on a green knoll above the Dee, a tall grey tower stands inside a ring of larches, roofless but whole to its stepped gables.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

This is Knock Castle, built by the Gordons in the 16th century, and a short walk up a farm track brings you right to its door.

The lands of Knock were granted to the Gordon Earl of Huntly in 1460, and after the Battle of Corrichie in 1562 they passed to the Gordons of Abergeldie. The present tower of four storeys went up around 1600, with walls four feet thick, a vaulted kitchen below and a spiral stair climbing through the house. Local tradition tells of the third laird's seven sons, lost in a long feud with their Forbes neighbours.

The tower was probably given up in the troubles of the 17th or 18th century, and it stands empty now, cared for by Historic Environment Scotland. From its knoll the view runs down Deeside to the hills around Ballater.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
Before you go

Free, at any time; the tower is in the care of Historic Environment Scotland and is seen from outside.

Park in the layby opposite the cottages on the B976, not on the track, and walk up; it is just under a kilometre, with a stile to cross.

Where
Knock Hill, off the B976 west of Ballater.
Walk
Just under a kilometre from the road, with a climb of about 50 metres.

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Did you know

The stepped-gable tower of Knock Castle standing in a grassy clearing among trees
Did you know

Four feet thick.

The tower's walls are about 1.2 metres thick, around a vaulted basement and a spiral stair.

A stand of larches on a grassy mound with a dry-stone wall in front
Did you know

A Gordon grant.

The lands of Knock were granted to the Gordon Earl of Huntly in 1460.

The ruined tower of Knock Castle beside a broad oak, framed by a dry-stone wall
Did you know

After Corrichie.

Knock passed to the Gordons of Abergeldie after the Battle of Corrichie in 1562.

Graeme Johncock

A Devastating Aberdeenshire Feud

There are many castles called Knock in Scotland and one of those sits on a small hill above Ballater. It’s a small tower house in a quiet location and even when lived in by a branch of the Gordons, Knock didn't see much action. The only thing that ever caused them concern was the

Read the story
01 / 05
Where it is

On a knoll above the Dee, off the B976 about two miles west of Ballater.

Close byBallater.
  1. The Strong Water CoThe Strong Water Co2 miles 4 min by road
  2. Balmoral ArmsBalmoral Arms2 miles 4 min by road
  3. BallaterBallaterA granite village on the River Dee in Royal Deeside, planned in the late 1700s for the spa at Pannanich Wells, eight miles east of Balmoral.2 miles 4 min by road
  4. Cappuccino and sliced cake on a wooden table in a caféBridge House CaféA family-run café on Bridge Street in Ballater for brunch, lunch, deli items and home bakes, open Thursday to Monday, and friendly to dogs.2 miles 4 min by road
  5. Casks stencilled Royal Lochnagar Distillery stacked in the warehouse.Royal Lochnagar DistilleryA small distillery by Balmoral, under the hill of Lochnagar.7 miles 11 min by road
  6. Snow-dusted hills reflect fading light over a still loch at duskLoch MuickA mountain loch at the head of Glen Muick.9 miles 32 min by road
Directions
ÖSLEY's granite front on Bridge Street, Ballater, a navy sign above the door.ShoppingÖSLEY1.9 miles
The granite front of the Deeside Deli on Bridge Street, Ballater, flowers hanging by its windows.ShoppingDeeside Deli & Garden Shop2.0 miles
Fish Shop Restaurant, AberdeenshireRestaurantsFish Shop Restaurant2.0 miles
The Albert Memorial Hall, with a red telephone box outside its turreted stone facadeRestaurantsLunch and a Wander in Ballater2.0 miles
Ballater Golf Course, AberdeenshireAttractionsBallater Golf Course2.2 miles
Darroch Learg, AberdeenshireBallaterDarroch LeargPlace to stay · 2.6 miles
Old gravestones in the round kirkyard at Tullich among trees, the ruined kirk wall behind.AttractionsTullich Kirkyard and its carved stones3.6 miles
Cambus O'May Suspension Bridge, AberdeenshireAttractionsCambus o’ May Suspension Bridge5.7 miles
Inverenzie Cottage, AberdeenshireBallaterInverenzie CottageSleeps 4 · 6.5 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the tower, and when each is next free.

Darroch Learg, AberdeenshireDarroch Learg
  • A hotel
  • In Ballater
  • Under a mile from Knock Castle
Check datesInverenzie Cottage, AberdeenshireInverenzie Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Ballater
  • 4 miles from Knock Castle
Free 4–6 NovTwo grey linen sofas face each other across a dark wooden coffee table, checked roman blinds at the windows and a framed landscape print on the wall.Old School Cottage
  • Sleeps 7
  • In Ballater
  • 5 miles from Knock Castle
Free 5–7 NovA wooden table and chairs with green cushions stand on a stone patio beside a gabled stone house, a lawn stretching in front.Laggan Cottage
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Ballater
  • 5 miles from Knock Castle
Free 31 Oct – 2 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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